Optima is a typeface created by Hermann Zapf in 1958. Zaph was a prolific typeface designer, creating over 200 typefaces in his lifetime. This bilingual type specimen studies his under-rated typeface Optima and follows a brief history on the designer, the development, criticism, attributes and usage. 

In this type specimen, I have examined this typeface in five ways: 

   -a study of the designer, Hermann Zapf

   -the development, and inspiration behind Optima

   -criticism and plagiarism surrounding the typeface

   -attributes and characteristics that define Optima

   -examples and usage of Optima 

These are some samples for cover graphics using typographic illustration with the Optima. The first image references Zaph's book "About Alphabets" [1960] in which he used Optima as the cover font, Optima notably being one of his favorite designs.